How come my car takes more oil now?

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my SpecV used to only take about 4.2 maybe 4.3 quarts... the last couple oil changes it has eaten up 5 quarts... a whole jug. Same size filter, I don't get it
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I bet if you put the new Ultra oil in it, it will start taking 6 quarts due to the 33% more sludge removing capabilities!!!! Hech, throw in some MMO and Auto RX and it may take 7 quarts!!!!
 
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maybe you poured it in a different way or angle and some of it got diverted and pooled up in the cylinder head before reaching a drain spot.......

even if filter sizes are changing, the trend is smaller. Given your stock size filter, it would have to be a huge difference to account for half a quart of oil that you would have noticed even if you were blind....
 
Are you doing anything different with how the car is jacked up to drain the oil? Have you bought new ramps or now using a floor jack and raising the car's front end up higher? I can get an additional 1/3 to a 1/2 quart to drain out by raising my Accord up to max height of my floor jack vs. just on the Rhino ramps.
 
you know its weird im wondering the same thing... my car takes supposedly 5.7L, but last time I put in 6L and it was still halfway up the dipstick safe level reading...
 
I had that happen with the last oil changes on my two Honda Accords. I started a thread about if anyone checks oil quantity of oil bottles.
 
Originally Posted By: jackkpts
Are you doing anything different with how the car is jacked up to drain the oil? Have you bought new ramps or now using a floor jack and raising the car's front end up higher? I can get an additional 1/3 to a 1/2 quart to drain out by raising my Accord up to max height of my floor jack vs. just on the Rhino ramps.


I'm doing it the same way... I always change it in my garage (perfectly flat), I do not need to lift the car but when it's draining I lift the front just a bit to drain more oil.

It used to take about 4.2-4.3 quarts, now 5
 
I can get another 200-300ml out of my car by taking a differential evac pump and fishing around inside the pan through the drain hole.
 
Some dipsticks may be calibrated hot. A reading 1/2 qt low maybe right where you want it to allow expansion. If the level rises above windage trays the crank or rods could churn it up into a foam or vapor. The PVC sucks right into the intake as it is supose to do giving you a false consumption.
 
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Interesting....I was wondering what is most accurate way to read a dipstick. Warm engine right after shutting off? cold engine? or a warm engine and wait xx minutes? I have also been told that dipsticks are not real accurate and just go by the owners manual. Then make a mental note where it falls on the dipstick and use that for your "between changes" reference.
Of course level ground is a given.
 
When going for a high reading, measure the next morning.
When checking for a low reading, 5 minutes after stopping.
 
I think the oil level in the bottles & jugs might make a difference. If I buy the M1 5w-30 EP in qt bottles I have to put 5.5 bottles in the car to get it to the full mark. If I buy the 5qt jug it comes right to the full mark. Same car level, height off the floor, angle, everything, but different readings.
 
Originally Posted By: AdRock
I think the oil level in the bottles & jugs might make a difference. If I buy the M1 5w-30 EP in qt bottles I have to put 5.5 bottles in the car to get it to the full mark. If I buy the 5qt jug it comes right to the full mark. Same car level, height off the floor, angle, everything, but different readings.


are you sure the larger jug isn't a 5L.

why would any manufacturer overfill by 10% (they would lose 10% in revenue)

why would any manufacturer underfill my 10% (they would get massive fines and lose reputation).

FWIW 1 L is about 1.06 US qts.

i'd say it was a measurement error...
 
Originally Posted By: crinkles
Originally Posted By: AdRock
I think the oil level in the bottles & jugs might make a difference. If I buy the M1 5w-30 EP in qt bottles I have to put 5.5 bottles in the car to get it to the full mark. If I buy the 5qt jug it comes right to the full mark. Same car level, height off the floor, angle, everything, but different readings.


are you sure the larger jug isn't a 5L.

why would any manufacturer overfill by 10% (they would lose 10% in revenue)

why would any manufacturer underfill my 10% (they would get massive fines and lose reputation).

FWIW 1 L is about 1.06 US qts.

i'd say it was a measurement error...


I just went out and looked at the stuff I have in the garage.

The jugs are 4.73L / 5 US QTs
The bottles are 946mL / 1 US QT

I have no idea why I've had the experience several times. I'm meticulous about my car and when I noticed the difference I made sure that I did everything EXACTLY the same. This isn't a measurement issue on my part. I have absolutely no explanation as to why this happens. The only thing I haven't done is dump 5 bottles of oil into an empty 5 qt jug and see where the level is. I just haven't had the cash lately to buy 10 qt's at one time.
 
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Originally Posted By: MrWideTires
It used to take about 4.2-4.3 quarts, now 5


IIRC, you removed the balance shaft chain, slide, and gear? That may account for the added volume.
 
Did you change filter brands or purchase a new batch of filters recently? The anti-drainback seal might be ineffective in this batch.

Also, speaking with experience from the filler industry... it's not the most precise process, but newer equipment is far more capable. In the past, overfilling was far more common. The economy of late has spurred a lot of waste reduction among manufacturers in all industries. It wouldn't surprise me if your chosen brand was able to take at least 5% out of the fill heights.
 
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